COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann today testified before the Ohio Senate Higher Education Committee and asked for support of provisions in HB 166 which should fully fund indigent defense reimbursement to the counties beginning in FY 2021. Ehemann also serves as CCAO president.

“CCAO’s main legislative priority for this budget is to have the state fully reimburse the counties for their costs incurred in fulfilling the state’s constitutional obligation to provide counsel to indigent defendants,” Ehemann said. “We appreciated this committee’s members Vice Chair Gavarone, Senator McColley and Senator Wilson who joined with several other senators in sending a letter to Governor DeWine asking that he include full funding for indigent defense reimbursement in his budget request. “

Ehemann also shared her appreciation for Governor DeWine and the House’s actions regarding indigent defense funding. DeWine’s budget committed $60 million each year in general revenue funds for indigent defense. The House included an additional $35M in the second year of the biennium with the intention of providing full reimbursement for indigent defense beginning in July 2021.

“CCAO greatly appreciates these actions and asks the Senate to support the combined actions of Governor DeWine and the House reflected in Substitute HB 166 as passed by the House.”

The County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) advances effective county government for Ohio through legislative advocacy, education and training, technical assistance and research, quality enterprise service programs, and greater citizen awareness and understanding of county government.